How many attractions for us have our passing fellows in…
“How many attractions for us have our passing fellows in the streets, both male and female, which our ethics forbid us to express, which yet infuse so much pleasure into life. A lovely child, a handsome youth, a beautiful girl, a heroic man, a maternal woman, a venerable old man, charm us, though strangers, and we cannot say so, or look at them but for a moment.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
We often admire strangers’ beauty and virtues in silence because social norms forbid open admiration.
In simple terms: Secret admiration of strangers is common due to etiquette.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect inner feelings without judgment.
Themes
ethics
beauty
social norms
desire
self‑restraint
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- public spaces
- daily encounters
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Aesthetic appreciation
human longing
social restraint
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal admiration with respect for others?
- When is silent appreciation appropriate?
A Different Perspective
Open admiration can breach privacy and cause discomfort.